She’s Going to Hollywood: Stacey Wilson Lands A Gig At The Hollywood Reporter

Thursday, 25 February 2010 00:22 | Written by Byron

(Photo of Stacey Wilson [right] and her sister, FOX-12 reporter, Jamie Wilson)

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD: Apparently not all the news coming out of Hollywood—or the media biz—is all bad. I am happy to report that Portland-based reporter (and former Portland Monthly Associate Editor) Stacey Wilson has just landed a job at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson will soon be in charge of televison coverage as a Features Editor for the entertainment industry-centered publication. Before she packs her bags and moves to Los Angeles, I thought it might be nice to check in with Wilson about her new job and here is what she had to say:

How did you hear about the job?

I saw it posted on Mediabistro.com two weeks ago and thought, ‘Wow, that sounds like the perfect job for me.' But knowing the climate and how many talented journos are out of work right now, I felt the site would be utterly flooded with resumes, so I got sneaky. I asked my friend who reviews films for Us Weekly (with whom I used to work in New York), if she knew anyone there and she did. I wrote him, and he referred me to the Editor in Chief, who referred me to the Executive Editor in charge of hiring. That was Monday two weeks ago. By that Wednesday, he’d asked if I was going to be in L.A. anytime soon; funny enough, I was. I changed my ticket to arrive a day sooner, and that was that. Honestly though, I felt like I’d won the lottery just getting an interview.

How many times did you interview for the gig?

I went straight from LAX to the interview last Thursday afternoon and met with the hiring editor and one of his colleagues. I made a good impression, apparently, and they asked me to return this past Monday to be vetted by four other folks, including the Editor-in-Chief. That was it. Really fast.

Did you actually say fart during one of your interviews?

I did. One woman asked, “What kind of coworkers do you prefer?” and I meant to say “funny and smart” and I said “fart.” It was great. We all laughed a lot.

What will your job duties include?

The Hollywood Reporter is a daily trade paper whose main competition is Variety. I will be working on the Features side of things editing and writing TV stories for special themed issues on Emmy coverage, Fall Preview, etc.

Will you get to see the finale of American Idol live?

Ha ha, I don’t know. I still need to buy a car, get an apartment, and figure out when my health insurance starts.

What about secrets from Lost?

You know, I love most TV shows like they were my children, but I have never been a Lost fan. I can’t love everything, you know?

What celebs are you eager to cover?

Oh many...but this is why trade publications are great: I get to cover the business and NOT ask celebrities about their drug problems, marital status, or most recent plastic surgery procedures. I would however be thrilled to sit down with Tina Fey and talk comedy. As a fellow wry, sardonic brunette, I’ve always felt a special connection to her.

When do you start your gig?

They want me in two weeks to get ramped up for Fall Preview and Emmy season over the summer, which should be interesting logistics-wise. But I’ll make it work.

Can I have your job at People (Wilson covers the Northwest beat for the entertainment weekly) now that you are leaving?

Uh, sure. If you’d like to cover Mary Kay Letourneau’s divorce proceedings, which are certainly likely at some point, they’re all yours!

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